Tensioning device for metal strings for musical instruments



Sept. 11, 1928.

J. J- FISHER TENSIONING DEVICE FOR METAL STRINGS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 9, 1924 Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J", FISHER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THEODORE WITTEMANN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

TENSIONING DEVICE FOR METAL STRINGS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

.Application filed February 9, 1924. Serial No. 691,551.

, This invention relates to tensioning devices for musical instruments provided with metal strings.

In musical instruments provided with metal strings, particularly a violin, it has been found almost impossible to accurately tune the metal string due to the minute give that is found in the highly tempered metal strings.

Further than this, any minute variation in the length of the body of the instrument immediately throws the metal string out of tune.

In certain types of music, it is highly de sirable, in violins, to provide one ormore metal strings, but the great difficulty in tun ing and maintaining these strings at the correct degree of tension has seriously interfered with the obtaining of the desired results. g

This invention is designedto overcome the above noted defects, and objects of such invention are to provide a tensioning device for instruments provided with metal strings, in which a greater range of adjustment in tuning is permitted, and in which the exact tensioning required for a perfect note is maintained, although slight variations in other portions of the instrument may occur.

In practicing this invention, it is possible to secure the clear perfect note from a metal string on a violin, for instance that has heretofore been only secured by cat gut or other type of yielding strings.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a violin with the device in position. 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tail piece, and a portion of the metal string with the device in position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through a portion of Figure 2. V

The violin body 1 is provided with the usual neck 2, tail piece 3, and bridge 4:. The metal string 5 is wrapped around and secured to the appropriate tuning pegs at its outer end, and at its inner end receives the book 6 of a small helical spring 7. The rear end 8 of the helical spring is provided with a hook portion 9 which is passed through the appropriate aperture 10 in the tail piece 3. V

In using a violin equipped, as described, it is found that aconsiderable range of adjustment is permitted .in tuning the metal string and that, therefore, the exact tensioning required is readily obtained. than this any variation in the length of the body or neck of the violin which might result from variations in temperature, does notpr'oduce the marked effect upon the tension of this metal string as has heretofore been found when it has been attempted to use metal strings.

It will be seen that there is a slight give in the spring before any appreciable variation in the tension of the metal string occurs, and consequently the exact tension and the proper noteis maintained in spite of other variation in the instrument.

Itwill be seen, therefore,that by this in- 'vention, it is possible to easily tune and maintain the exact tension required for a metal string, and that the. additional advantages of the use of one or more metal strings upon a violin are easily secured.

It is to be noted that the coils of the spring are smallest at the-string receiving end and gradually increase in size towards the end secured to the tail piece of the violin. This results'in a high period of vibration at the Further smaller end which gradually reduces to a I low period of vibration as the coils increase in slze; Thus,w1thout effecting the vlbratory action of the spring, the vibration is gradually absorbed by the spring, preventing transmission to the tail-piece and asso ciated parts of the instrument.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and is, therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim:

A device for attaching the end of a metal string to a musical instrument comprising a helical spring, a hook formed at one end for attachment to the musical instrument, and

a hook formed at the opposite end forreceiving the string, the coils of said spring gradually increasing in slze from the string receiving end towardthe attaching end of the spring, whereby the coils of the spring are smallest adjacent the string receiving end and are largest towards the hook.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

JOHN J. FISHER. 

